Rewinding mechanism.



W. HESS, JR. RBWINDING MECHANISM. APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 16, 1911.

Patented June 13, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

VENTOR a THE NORRIS PETERS cc, WASHINGTON o c.

W. mass, JR. BEWINDING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED I'BB.18,1911.

INVENTOR.

AllomeyM W. HESS, JR.- RBWINDING MECHANISM APPLIOATIOH FILED r1111. 16,1911.

Patented June 13,1911.

3 BKEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTORZ fut won/us PETERS co, WASHINGTON. D c.

WENDELL HESS, JR., OF TROY, NEW YORK.

REWINDING MECHANISM.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WENDELL Hnss, J r., a citizen of the United States,residing at Troy, in the county of Rensselae'r and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in RewindingMechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rewinding mechanisms and particularly to anelectrically actuated rewinding mechanism specially adapted to use inweight clocks but capable of use in various other connections where amechanism of this type is required.

The invention resides in a special form of circuit closer actuated whenthe propelling mechanism of the clock passes certain limiting positions,and in a special form of magnetic clutch interposed in the motor circuitand functioning to release the major part of the rewinding mechanismfrom the clock propelling mechanism except during the rewindingoperation.

A further object of the invention is to enable a single motor to be usedto rewind a plurality of weights either individually or simultaneously.This is effected by providing a separate circuit closer and magneticclutch for each weight, the circuit closer functioning to start themotor, and clutch the rewinding drum corresponding to the desired weightto the motor. Thus the actuation of one or more circuit closers startsthe motor and the actuation of each circuit closer controls thecorresponding clutch to secure the requisite rewinding for each weight.

The preferred embodiment of the invention 1 shall describe in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of adevice embodying the various features of the invention showing itarranged to rewind two weights; Fig. 2 is the wiring diagram of thesame; Fig. 3 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 1, but on a largerscale, the rewinding mechanism for one weight being omitted; Fig. 4 is aview of the mechanism illus trated in Fig. 3 looking from the right withreference to that figure, a portion of the gear 82 being broken away toshow the circuit controller; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a contactforming part of the circuit closer; Fig. 6 is' a perspective view of aSpecification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 16, 1911.

Patented June 13, 1911.

Serial No. 608,942.

rocking contact shoe forming part of the circuit closer; Fig. 7 is acentral vertical section of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3; and Fig. 8 isa section on the line h-h of Fig. 7

In the drawings, 1 represents the base upon which is mounted the entireapparatus. An electric motor 2 which furnishes the power for therewinding is attached to the base near its center, and at either siderise standards or supporting frames 3 of any suitable form, but hereshown as each cast in one piece wit-h bosses 4- into which are forcedshafts 5 and 6 for a purpose later to be described. The two standards 3and the entire mechanism carried thereby are identical, and hence onlyone such mechanism will be described.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 3 to 8, it will be noted that theshaft 6 has an inner portion 7 and a reduced outer portion 8. On theportion 7 turns one member of the magnetic clutch. This member consistsof a central hub 9 of bronze or the like to which is attached by screws10 or the equiva lent, a soft iron shell 11 having an annular groove 12on its outer face. In this groove are wound the inductive windings 13usually of insulated copper wire. They are tied into the groove 12 inthe usual manner and the ends of the coil are respectively connected toslip rings 14 and 15 insulated from each other by being individuallymounted on the fiber or other insulating ring 16 which in turn is heldby screws to the shell 11. Current is led to and from the windings ofthe magnetic clutch through brushes 17 and 18 contacting with the sliprings. These brushes are held on stems 19 by nuts 20 and the stems 19are supported by the frame 3 as at 21, the stems being held to the frameby nuts 22 with insulators 23 interposed between the stems and the frameto prevent short circuiting. The shell 11 is formed with gear teeth 24around its circumference and is driven by a gear 25 carried on the shaftof the motor 2 either directly as shown in the left hand mechanism ofFig. 1, or through an idler gear 26 as shown in the right hand mechanismof the same figure. The purpose in using the idle gear in one case andnot in the other is to cause the two rewinding mechanisms to have thesame relative directions of rotation, thus avoiding the necessity ofmaking a right and a left hand mechanism which otherwise would berequired.

Mounted on the reduced portion 8 of the shaft 6 is a sleeve 27 to whicha soft iron disk armature 28 is attached as by screws 29. A thin paperwasher 30 may be inserted between the armature and the magnet and causesthe clutch to release more quickly. When the current is passed throughthe windings of the magnet the armature is attracted thereto verystrongly, because the shell 11 and armature 28 form a complete path forthe magnetic flux, with no appreciable air gap. When the magnet isdenergized the brushes 17 and 18 force it away from the armature whichis held by the shoulder between the two portions 7 and 8 of the shaft 6,thus causing instant release of the connection.

The sleeve 27 carries a small gear 31 which meshes with a large gear 32held by a nut 33 on a hub 34. The hub 34 turns on the shaft 5, and inaddition to the gear 32 carries a grooved drum 35, preferably ofinsulating material and a fiber, or other non-conducting drum 36. Theparts numbered 32 to 36 inclusive are further tied together by a pin 37(see Fig. 7).

The drum 36 carries a slip ring 38 provided with a boss or lug 39 on itsface and against this slip ring bear shoes 40 and 41. These shoes arepivoted to turn at 42 and 43 in the ends of arms 44 and 45 respectively.These arms 44 and 45 are pivoted at 46 and 47 on rods 48 and 49, whichin turn are supported in the frame 3. They are held in the frame by setscrews 50 and are insulated therefrom by insulators 51. A tension spring52 adjustable by nuts 53 draws the arms together so as to hold theirconnected shoes against the slip ring 38 and this spring is insulated at54 so as not to short circuit the arms 44 and 45.

The shoes 40 and 41 are both in the path of the boss 39 as the slip ringrotates alternately in opposite directions and will be struck by theboss and turned to bring different faces of the shoes into contact withthe slip ring. All four faces of the shoe 41 are conducting, so that theonly function performed by turning it over is the distribution of wearover more than one face. The shoe 40 has, however, one insulated face 55and the turning of this shoe by the boss 39 alternately to bring aconducting and this insulated face 55 into contact with the slip ring 38is the means used to control the operation of the rewinding mechanism. Asupplemental circuit is simultaneously made or broken through the switchblades 56 carried by the shoe 40 which blades coact with the springcontacts 57 (see Figs; 5 and 6) to effect this purpose. The contacts 57are supported on a pin 58 held in the frame 3 but insulated therefrom inthe manner described with reference to the pins 19. This doubleprovision for controlling the circuit is made to secure certainty ofoperation for long periods without inspection, and has been founddesirable in certain classes of mechanism. Either circuit may however beused alone with successful results.

The path of the current is from the battery through the motor; thencethrough brush l7 and slip ring 14 through the magnetic coil 13 by way ofthe slip ring 15 to brush 18. From the brush 18 two paths are open, thefirst through the arm 45 through shoe 41, slip ring 38 to shoe 40 andthe other to contact 57 through the knives 56 to shoe 40, the making andbreaking of both connections being dependent on the position of shoe 40.From shoe 40 the current passes through arm 44 and back to the battery.The various wire connections are illustrated in diagram on the variousfigures.

In the groove on the drum 35 is wound one end of the weight cord 60which then passes upward and makes several turns around the usual clockweight drum 61, to which it is connected. The other end of the cord 60carries the usual weight 62, whose descentfurnishes power to the clock.It is of course understood that the weight drum is connected to itsarbor by a ratchet as is common in weight clocks and that the weight isrewound by drawing down on the end of the cord 60.

From the mechanism already described it is apparent that if we assume ashoe 40 to be in circuit closing position, current will pass throughthat shoe and by means of the connections shown, through thecorresponding clutch and the motor. The motor drives the shell 11 whichby the magnetic clutch action turns armature 28 and its connected gear31, and this drives gear 32 and the connected drum 35 upon which theweightcord 60 is wound, thus rewinding the clock. At the beginning ofthe rewinding the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 4. As themotor runs, the boss 39 turns in a counterclockwise direction, as viewedin Fig. 8, until it collides with shoe 40, turning it to the positionshown in Figs. 3 and 8. There the knives 56 are away from contact 57 andinsulated face 55 is in contact with slip ring 38. The clutch is thusreleased and current is turned off from the motor, which comes to restindependently of the remainder of the mechanism. The rewinding actionlasts two seconds or less. The weight now continues to drive the clockand draws the rewinding mechanism (which turns free of the motor andmagnet) in a reverse direction to that previously imparted by the motor.The boss 39 thus rotatesclockwise until it collides with the other faceof shoe 40 and turns it back to conducting position (Fig. 4)

whereupon the weight is rewound as previously described The use of theclutch obviates the need of a heavy weight necessary to turn the motorbackward, and the arrangement of the clutch is such that the friction ofthe brushes 17 and 18 does not retard the descent of the weight.

By connecting in parallel a plurality of units each consisting of acircuit controller and clutch, and then connecting them, as in Fig. 2,to control a single motor which is adapted to supply power through therespective clutches I secure a device which will rewind several weightsat appropriate times, whether the periods of rewinding for the severalweights be separate, coincident or overlapping. In the last named casethe clutch prevents overwinding of the first weight though the motorcontinues to run in Winding the second. The arrangement of the wiring,batteries and the like may be varied in many obvious ways, the essentialfeature being that each circuit controller and corresponding clutch begrouped as a unit controlling the motors action.

The form of the mechanical elements of the mechanism are also subject toconsiderable variation but I prefer the embodiment shown, because of itssimplicity and durability. The clutch engages and releases instantly,and requires only a small current. The brushes assist the disengagementof the clutch and insure free turning of the clutch armature during thedescent of the weight.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim is 1. The combination ofa plurality of propelling Weight mechanisms; a plurality of devices eachadapted to rewind a corresponding weight mechanism; an electric motor; aplurality of electromagnetic clutches each adapted to clutch the motorto a corresponding rewinding device; a plurality of circuit controllerseach adapted to be actuated by the movements of a corresponding weightmechanism; and connections whereby each circuit controller controls thepassage of current through the corresponding clutch and the motor.

2. The combination of an electric motor; a plurality of units, eachconsisting of a propelling weight mechanism, a rewinding devicetherefor, a magnetic clutch adapted to establish driving relationbetween the motor and the rewinding device, and a circuit controlleradapted to be actuated by the movements of the weight mechanism; andconnections whereby each circuit controller controls the passage ofcurrent through its corresponding clutch and the motor.

3. The combination of an electric motor; a plurality of units, eachconsisting of a propelling weight mechanism, a rewinding mechanismtherefor moving with the weight mechanism, a magnetic clutch adapted toestablish driving relation between the motor and the rewinding device,and a circuit controller adapted to be actuated by the movements of therewinding device as it moves with the weight mechanism; and connectionswhereby each circuit controller controls the passage of current throughits corresponding clutch and the motor.

4. The combination of an electric motor; a plurality of units, eachconsisting of a pro pelling weight mechanism, a rewinding devicetherefor, an electrically actuated clutch adapted to establish drivingrelation between the motor and the rewinding device, and a circuitcontroller adapted to be actuated by the movements of the Weightmechanism; and connections whereby each circuit con troller controls thepassage of current through its corresponding clutch and the motor.

5. The combination of an electric motor; a plurality of units, eachconsisting of a propelling weight mechanism, a rewinding devicetherefor, an armature connected to the rewinding device, a magnetadapted to be rotated by the motor and when energized to causefrictional engagement with the armature to establish driving relationbetween the motor and the rewinding device, and a circuit controlleradapted to be actuated by the movement of the weight mechanism; andconnections whereby each circuit controller controls the passage ofcurrent through the corresponding magnet and the motor.

6. The combination of an electric motor; a plurality of units eachconsisting of a propelling weight mechanism, a rewinding devicetherefor, an armature connected to the rewinding device, anelectro-magnet adapted to be rotated by the motor, and when energized tocause frictional engagement with the armature to establish drivingrelation between the motor and the rewinding de vice, brushes adapted toconduct current to and from the magnet and to urge the magnet andarmature apart, and a circuit controller adapted to be actuated by themovements of the weight mechanism; and connections whereby each circuitcontroller controls the passage of current through its correspondingmagnet and the motor.

7. The combination of an electric motor; a plurality of units, eachconsisting of a propelling weight mechanism, a rewinding devicetherefor, a magnetic clutch adapted to establish driving relationbetween the motor and the rewinding device, a slip ring turning with theweight mechanism and pro vided with a lug, and a shoe having aconducting and a non-conducting face and held in contact with the ringin the path of the lug, whereby the shoe is turned by the lugalternately to present one or another faceto the ring; and connectionswhereby the establishment and destruction of conducting relationsbetween each shoe and its ring control the passage of current throughthe corresponding clutch and the motor.

8. The combination of an electric motor; a plurality of units, eachconsisting of a propelling weight mechanism, a rewinding devicetherefor, a magnetic clutch adapted to establish driving relationbetween the motor and the rewinding device, a member turning with theweight mechanism and provided with a lug, and an electric switch mountedin the path of the lug and adapted to be moved thereby alternatelybetween circuit making and circuit breaking positions; and connectionswhereby each switch controls the passage of current through thecorresponding clutch and the motor.

9. The combination of a propelling weight mechanism; a rewinding devicetherefor operatively connected to the weight mechanism and adapted torotate alternately in opposite directions during the descent andrewinding of the weight; a slip ring moving with the rewinding mechanismand provided with a lug; a shoe having a conducting and an insulatedface mounted in the path of the lug so as to be shifted therebyalternately to bring the insulated and the conducting face into contactwith the slip ring; a motor connected to drive the rewinding device; andconnections whereby the shifting of the shoe controls the flow ofcurrent through I the motor.

10. The combination of a propelling weight mechanism; a rewinding devicetherefor operatively connected to the weight mechanism and adapted torotate alternately in opposite directions during the descent andrewinding of the weight; a slip ring moving with the rewinding mechanismand provided with a lug; a shoe having a conducting and an insulatedface mounted in the path of the lug soas to be shifted therebyalternately to bring the insulated and the conducting face into contactwith the slip ring; a fixed contact member; a switch knife carried bythe shoe and adapted to contact with the fixed contact when theconducting face of the shoe is in contact with the slip ring; a motorconnected to drive the rewinding device; and connections whereby theestablishment and destruction of conducting relations between the slipring and the shoe and between the knife and the fixed contact controlthe flow of current through the motor.

11. The combination of a propelling weight mechanism; a rewinding devicetherefor operatively connected to the weight mechanism and adapted torotate alternately .in opposite directions during the descent andrewinding of the weight; a drum moving with the rewinding mechanism andprovided with a lug; a switch adapted to be positively moved by the lugalternately between circuit making and circuit breaking positions; amotor connected to drive the rewinding device; and connections wherebythe switch controls the fiow of current through the motor.

12. The combination of a propelling weight mechanism; a rewinding devicetherefor operatively connected to the weight mechanism and adapted torotate alternately in opposite directions during the descent and therewinding of the weight; a slip ring moving with the rewinding mechanismand provided with a lug; a shoe having a conducting and an insulatedface mounted in the path of the lug so as to be shifted therebyalternately to bring the insulated and the conducting face into contactwith the slip ring; an electric motor; a magnetic clutch adapted toconnect the motor to the rewinding device; and connections whereby theshifting of the shoe controls the flow of current through the motor andclutch.

13. The combination of a propelling weight mechanism a rewinding devicetherefor operatively connected to the weight mechanism and adapted torotate alternately in opposite directions during the descent and therewinding of the weight; a slip ring moving with the rewinding mechanismand provided with a lug; a shoe having a conducting and an insulatedface mounted in the path of the lug so as to be shifted therebyalternately to bring the insulated and the conducting face into contactwith the slip ring; a fixed contact member; a switch knife carried bythe shoe and adapted to contact with the fixed contact when theconducting face of the shoe is in contact with the slip ring; anelectric motor; a magnetic clutch adapted to connect the motor to therewinding device; and connections whereby the establishment anddestruction of conducting relation between the slip ring and the shoeand between the knife and the fixed contact control the fiow of currentthrough the motor and clutch.

14. The combination of a propelling weight mechanism; a rewinding devicetherefor operatively connected to the weight mechanism and adapted torotate alternately in opposite directions during the descent andrewinding of the weight; a drum moving with the rewinding mechanism andprovided with a lug; a switch adapted to be positively moved by the lugalternately bet-ween circuit making and circuit breaking positions; anelectric motor; a magnetic clutch adapted to connect the motor to therewinding device; and connections whereby the switch controls the flowof current through the motor and clutch.

15. The combination of a propelling weight mechanism; a rewinding devicetherefor; an electric motor; an electromagnet adapted to be rotated bythe motor; an armature connected to the rewinding device and adapted toenter into frictional engagement with the magnet when the latter isenergized; a slip ring provided with a lug and adapted to be rotated inopposite directions as the propelling weight mechanism moves during thedescent of the weight and the rewinding thereof; a shoe having aconducting and an insulated face mounted to contact with the slip ringin the path of the lug; whereby it is shifted alternately by the lug tobring the conducting and insulated face into contact with the slip ring;and connections whereby such shifting of the shoe controls the flow ofcurrent through the motor and the electromagnet.

16. The combination of a propelling weight mechanism a rewinding devicetherefor; an electric motor; an electro-magnet adapted to be rotated bythe motor; an armature connected to the rewinding device and adapted toenter into frictional engagement with the magnet when the latter isenergized; a slip ring provided with a lug and adapted to be rotated inopposite direc tions as thepropelling weight mechanism moves during thedescent of the weight and the rewinding thereof; a shoe having aconducting and an insulated face mounted to contact with the slip ringin the path of the lug, whereby it is shifted alternately by the lug tobring the conducting and insulated face into contact with the slip ring;a fixed contact member; a contact member mounted on the shoe adapted tocontact with the fixed contact member when the conducting face of theshoe is in contact with the slip ring; and connections whereby theestablishment and destruction of conducting relation between the ringand the shoe and between the fixed contact and the contact membercarried by the shoe control the flow of current through the motor andthe electromagnet.

17. The combination of a propelling weight mechanism a rewinding devicetherefor; a circuit controller adapted to be actuated by the movementsof the propelling weight mechanism; an electric motor; an electro-magnetadapted to be rotated by the motor and consisting of an annular coil; anarmature operatively connected to the rewinding mechanism the armatureand the magnet being adapted to be drawn into frictional engagement bythe energizing of the magnet, so as to establish driving relationbetween the motor and the rewinding de vice; and connections whereby thecircuit controller controls the flow of current through the motor andmagnet.

18. The combination of a propelling weight mechanism a rewinding devicetherefor; a circuit controller adapted to be actuated by the movement ofthe weight mechanism; an armature operatively connected to the rewindingdevice; an electric motor; an electro-magnet adapted to be rotated bythe motor and when energized to cause frictional engagement with thearmature to establish driving relations between the motor and therewinding device; contact rings electrically connected to theelectro-magnet; brushes adapted to conduct current to the contact ringsand to urge the magnet and the armature apart; and connections wherebythe circuit controller controls the [low of current to the motor andmagnet.

19. The combination of a propelling weight mechanism a rewinding devicetherefor; a circuit controller adapted to be actuated by the movement ofthe weight mechanism; an armature operatively connected to the rewindingdevice; an electric motor; an electro-magnet adapted to be rotated bythe motor and when energized to cause frictional engagement with thearmature to establish driving relations between the motor and therewinding device; contact rings electrically connected to theelectro-magnet; brushes adapted to conduct current to the contact ringsand to urge the magnet and the armature apart; a thin sheet ofnon-magnetic material interposed between the magnet and the armature;and connections whereby the circuit controller controls the flow ofcurrent to the motor and magnet.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

VVENDELL HESS, JR.

WVitnesses:

GORDON S. HOPKINS, J. lVATsON HAYDEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

